Easy 24-Hour Glazing
In the event that you need your windows repaired avoid Easy 24-Hour Glazing.
Here is an email I sent to them 5th November:
"Your website claims 24/7 coverage with a one hour response.
Here is the reality:
Monday 3rd Nov I called in the morning and made a booking for someone to come round in the afternoon to fix a jammed window.
No show
I called late afternoon, and was advised that the engineer was delayed and could not make it.
Why did no one call me to advise me of this?
The booking was rescheduled to Tuesday 4th at 9AM
No Show
I called and was advised that the van had broken down
Why did no one call me to advise me of this?
The booking was rescheduled to 9AM today 5th Nov
No show
I called, and was advised that the engineer had an accident yesterday.
Why did no one call me to advise me of this?
Your service and customer care are lousy, your website does not reflect reality.
We are heading for the worst recession in decades, yet you are happy to throw away business in this cavalier manner.
Suffice to say I have arranged with another company to deal with this."
Monday, June 02, 2008
SSP "The Food Travel Experts"
On their website SSP claim the following:
"SSP is the leading dedicated operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide. We have a long heritage in food and travel, with over 60 years experience in the industry. All our operations feature a mix of food and beverage brands tailored specifically for each location."
If they are such "experts" why is that their outlet on platform 1 of East Croydon station has, for the last 7 weeks, been unable to provide its customers with gin and tonic?
The staff there say that it is "on order".
Does it really take 7 weeks to order gin and tonic?
Of course it doesn't!
I have filled in numerous complaint forms, alerting SSP to their failure, and have even emailed them.
To no avail!
SSP ignore their customers.
Congratulations SSP, you are Worse Than Worthless.
UPDATE 5 June 2008
SSP called me and apologised for the shambles at East Croydon. Seemingly head office were not aware of it.
I am advised that on investigation SSP are:
"unfortunately having a manufacturer issue with the Gin and Tonic which we are investigating and raised to the highest level. We are in the interim trying to move some stock from another unit so that East Croydon will have stock."
SSP have sent em a voucher for £5, and a discount card entitling me to 20% off any purchase I make at one of their outlets (eg Burger King, Upper Crust, Pumpkin etc) on any mainline railway station in the UK.
Good!
On their website SSP claim the following:
"SSP is the leading dedicated operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide. We have a long heritage in food and travel, with over 60 years experience in the industry. All our operations feature a mix of food and beverage brands tailored specifically for each location."
If they are such "experts" why is that their outlet on platform 1 of East Croydon station has, for the last 7 weeks, been unable to provide its customers with gin and tonic?
The staff there say that it is "on order".
Does it really take 7 weeks to order gin and tonic?
Of course it doesn't!
I have filled in numerous complaint forms, alerting SSP to their failure, and have even emailed them.
To no avail!
SSP ignore their customers.
Congratulations SSP, you are Worse Than Worthless.
UPDATE 5 June 2008
SSP called me and apologised for the shambles at East Croydon. Seemingly head office were not aware of it.
I am advised that on investigation SSP are:
"unfortunately having a manufacturer issue with the Gin and Tonic which we are investigating and raised to the highest level. We are in the interim trying to move some stock from another unit so that East Croydon will have stock."
SSP have sent em a voucher for £5, and a discount card entitling me to 20% off any purchase I make at one of their outlets (eg Burger King, Upper Crust, Pumpkin etc) on any mainline railway station in the UK.
Good!
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Railtrack
Congratulations to Railtrack for proving to the world how completely worthless they really are.
"Thousands of commuters face the prospect of further disruption to rail travel stretching into next week, after Network Rail again failed to complete key engineering work.
The new year misery affecting Britain’s rail service left up to 200,000 people without their normal rail service yesterday, after overrunning repair work closed London’s second-busiest station and paralysed one of the UK’s busiest railway lines."
Source The Times
Congratulations to Railtrack for proving to the world how completely worthless they really are.
"Thousands of commuters face the prospect of further disruption to rail travel stretching into next week, after Network Rail again failed to complete key engineering work.
The new year misery affecting Britain’s rail service left up to 200,000 people without their normal rail service yesterday, after overrunning repair work closed London’s second-busiest station and paralysed one of the UK’s busiest railway lines."
Source The Times
Monday, December 10, 2007
I am proud to announce the birth of new website.
HMRC Is Shite
Anyone with any stories about HMRC, or who know people with stories about HMRC, please send them in.
Thanks.
Ken
HMRC Is Shite
Anyone with any stories about HMRC, or who know people with stories about HMRC, please send them in.
Thanks.
Ken
Friday, November 16, 2007
Cool New Mobile
A bunch of scumbags by anyone's standards, see what their customers think of them also see here.
They have now gone bust, see www.coolnewmobile.com
Why did the network operators, such as 3, add the veneer of respectability to this company?
Why did the network operators allow their names to be associated with this company?
How much money have the network operators made out of sales made on the basis of false promises by Cool New Mobile?
At what stage did the directors of CNM become aware that their business model had failed?
Were the directors still trading after they became aware of the fact that the company was insolvent?
The following email was sent to 3:
"I bought into your service via Cool New Mobile, who have gone into administration leaving thousands of people (myself included) out of pocket wrt the cash back deals.
It has been clear for months that CNM were nothing more than a scam operation, see
Worse Than Worthless
Why did you allow yourselves to be associated with a company set up to defraud the public?
Why did you add the veneer of respectability to this company by associating your name with theirs?
What will you do for the thousands of customers with 3 contracts sold by CNM?
regards
Ken Frost"
Update
16 November 2007 19:57
Call received from 3 regarding the above email.
3 stated that their records show that my phone came from Mobile Affiliates, not CNM.
I noted that they were the same company, and had gone bust as well.
3 stated that their records show that Mobile Affiliates are still an active account.
A brief exchange, repeating each other's stand point, then took place; 3 seemed to have difficulty understanding/accepting what I was telling them.
I directed them to the announcement on the CNM website.
3 stated that at they did not have net access at that time, and would need to look into it.
They will contact me again.
Update 17 November 2007
Sent to the Mazars LLP (the administrators of CNM etc)
"re the administration of Cool New Mobile, and related companies.
I am a customer of CNM, and am owed money by them. I would like to ask you the following questions:
-At what stage did the directors of CNM become aware that their business model had failed?
-Were the directors still trading after they became aware of the fact that the company was insolvent?
FYI, I run a network of websites under www.kenfrost.com and am covering this story on this site:
http://kenfrostwtw.blogspot.com/2007/11/cool-new-mobile-bunch-of-scumbags-by.html
Thank you for your help.
Kind regards
Ken Frost MA FCA FIPFM
www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Update 19 November 2007
3 called me again today, they advised me that they were pursuing the cash back issue with the distributor. I asked who that was, 3 advised me that the details were not to hand.
They asked how much money was involved with my cash back arrangement with Cool New Mobile, and how much was left to be reimbursed.
I was advised that 3 will get back to me within 4 weeks.
Update 21 November 2007
Mazars flipped me off today:
"Dear Mr Frost,
The Joint Administrators are unable to answer individual questions. All updates in respect of the administrations of Mobile Media Systems Limited t/a Phoneboxdirect and Mobile Affiliates Limited t/a Coolnewmobile and Phones2yourdoor will be posted direct to the websites www.phoneboxdirect.com and www.coolnewmobile.co.uk. Please refer to them for information.
Thank you"
Update 20 December 2007
3 rang me this evening to advise me that they are still trying to get my money back for me.
Quite how they intend to do that is not at all clear.
They also have offered me a significantly reduced network rate for the coming year, plus the first 4 months free.
In addition to the reduced rate they are sending me a new Nokia handset.
I had to agree to accept this on the phone, they were not prepared to send me the details in writing first. However, I have 14 days to cancel.
They assure me that it in no way affects my rights to claim the money still owed by CNM, and that 3 are still trying to get my money back for me.
We shall see how this goes.
Update 16 January 2008
The following was sent to 3 today:
"Allan McLuckie
Director of Customer Services 3
Hutchinson 3G UK Ltd
PO Box 333
Glasgow
G2 9AG
16 January 2008
Dear Mr McLuckie,
I sent the following message to 3 on 16 November 2007:
'I bought into your service via Cool New Mobile, who have gone into administration leaving thousands of people (myself included) out of pocket wrt the cash back deals.
It has been clear for months that CNM were nothing more than a scam operation, see
Worse Than Worthless
Why did you allow yourselves to be associated with a company set up to defraud the public?
Why did you add the veneer of respectability to this company by associating your name with theirs?
What will you do for the thousands of customers with 3 contracts sold by CNM?'
I was told that 3 was contacting the retailer, and promised an answer within 4 weeks.
Some eight weeks on I have yet to receive one. Please provide me with a written answer by return.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Ken Frost"
A bunch of scumbags by anyone's standards, see what their customers think of them also see here.
They have now gone bust, see www.coolnewmobile.com
Why did the network operators, such as 3, add the veneer of respectability to this company?
Why did the network operators allow their names to be associated with this company?
How much money have the network operators made out of sales made on the basis of false promises by Cool New Mobile?
At what stage did the directors of CNM become aware that their business model had failed?
Were the directors still trading after they became aware of the fact that the company was insolvent?
The following email was sent to 3:
"I bought into your service via Cool New Mobile, who have gone into administration leaving thousands of people (myself included) out of pocket wrt the cash back deals.
It has been clear for months that CNM were nothing more than a scam operation, see
Worse Than Worthless
Why did you allow yourselves to be associated with a company set up to defraud the public?
Why did you add the veneer of respectability to this company by associating your name with theirs?
What will you do for the thousands of customers with 3 contracts sold by CNM?
regards
Ken Frost"
Update
16 November 2007 19:57
Call received from 3 regarding the above email.
3 stated that their records show that my phone came from Mobile Affiliates, not CNM.
I noted that they were the same company, and had gone bust as well.
3 stated that their records show that Mobile Affiliates are still an active account.
A brief exchange, repeating each other's stand point, then took place; 3 seemed to have difficulty understanding/accepting what I was telling them.
I directed them to the announcement on the CNM website.
3 stated that at they did not have net access at that time, and would need to look into it.
They will contact me again.
Update 17 November 2007
Sent to the Mazars LLP (the administrators of CNM etc)
"re the administration of Cool New Mobile, and related companies.
I am a customer of CNM, and am owed money by them. I would like to ask you the following questions:
-At what stage did the directors of CNM become aware that their business model had failed?
-Were the directors still trading after they became aware of the fact that the company was insolvent?
FYI, I run a network of websites under www.kenfrost.com and am covering this story on this site:
http://kenfrostwtw.blogspot.com/2007/11/cool-new-mobile-bunch-of-scumbags-by.html
Thank you for your help.
Kind regards
Ken Frost MA FCA FIPFM
www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Update 19 November 2007
3 called me again today, they advised me that they were pursuing the cash back issue with the distributor. I asked who that was, 3 advised me that the details were not to hand.
They asked how much money was involved with my cash back arrangement with Cool New Mobile, and how much was left to be reimbursed.
I was advised that 3 will get back to me within 4 weeks.
Update 21 November 2007
Mazars flipped me off today:
"Dear Mr Frost,
The Joint Administrators are unable to answer individual questions. All updates in respect of the administrations of Mobile Media Systems Limited t/a Phoneboxdirect and Mobile Affiliates Limited t/a Coolnewmobile and Phones2yourdoor will be posted direct to the websites www.phoneboxdirect.com and www.coolnewmobile.co.uk. Please refer to them for information.
Thank you"
Update 20 December 2007
3 rang me this evening to advise me that they are still trying to get my money back for me.
Quite how they intend to do that is not at all clear.
They also have offered me a significantly reduced network rate for the coming year, plus the first 4 months free.
In addition to the reduced rate they are sending me a new Nokia handset.
I had to agree to accept this on the phone, they were not prepared to send me the details in writing first. However, I have 14 days to cancel.
They assure me that it in no way affects my rights to claim the money still owed by CNM, and that 3 are still trying to get my money back for me.
We shall see how this goes.
Update 16 January 2008
The following was sent to 3 today:
"Allan McLuckie
Director of Customer Services 3
Hutchinson 3G UK Ltd
PO Box 333
Glasgow
G2 9AG
16 January 2008
Dear Mr McLuckie,
I sent the following message to 3 on 16 November 2007:
'I bought into your service via Cool New Mobile, who have gone into administration leaving thousands of people (myself included) out of pocket wrt the cash back deals.
It has been clear for months that CNM were nothing more than a scam operation, see
Worse Than Worthless
Why did you allow yourselves to be associated with a company set up to defraud the public?
Why did you add the veneer of respectability to this company by associating your name with theirs?
What will you do for the thousands of customers with 3 contracts sold by CNM?'
I was told that 3 was contacting the retailer, and promised an answer within 4 weeks.
Some eight weeks on I have yet to receive one. Please provide me with a written answer by return.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Ken Frost"
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Contact4
There are finance companies and call centres that happily cold call thousands of people a day trying to foist unwanted, unnecessary and unwise financial products onto them. They use times of financial uncertainty to their advantage.
Whilst those of us who are financially literate can easily dismiss these calls/offers, as one would swat an annoying fly, there are many in the UK who are not financially literate and who are easy prey for these odious people.
Over the past four weeks or so I have been swamped with cold calls from one particular call centre operating in Scotland, called Contact4.
Suffice to say, I am not happy with this.
To read the full story click here Contact4
There are finance companies and call centres that happily cold call thousands of people a day trying to foist unwanted, unnecessary and unwise financial products onto them. They use times of financial uncertainty to their advantage.
Whilst those of us who are financially literate can easily dismiss these calls/offers, as one would swat an annoying fly, there are many in the UK who are not financially literate and who are easy prey for these odious people.
Over the past four weeks or so I have been swamped with cold calls from one particular call centre operating in Scotland, called Contact4.
Suffice to say, I am not happy with this.
To read the full story click here Contact4
Thursday, October 04, 2007
I am proud to announce the birth of new website.
British Airways Is Shite
Anyone with any stories about British Airways, or who know people with stories about British Airways, please send them in.
Thanks.
Ken
British Airways Is Shite
Anyone with any stories about British Airways, or who know people with stories about British Airways, please send them in.
Thanks.
Ken
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Yahoo Mail
Congratulations to Yahoo Mail for proving themselves to be "Worse Than Worthless"
As can bee seen from the correspondence that I have had with Yahoo Customer Care, over the past few weeks, their email system appears to be in a state of collapse.
Their slogan "Yahoo just keeps getting better"...maybe should be rephrased to "Yahoo just keeps getting worse"
Here is a selection of the mails that I have sent/received to/from Yahoo "customer care" over the past few weeks.
"23 July 2007
Your company has been saying that your engineers "are working around the clock" on this issue for the last four weeks ever since I, and others, have raised this service failure with Yahoo.
However, instead of improving the situation, the problem is now worse; all my mails sent to Yahoo addresses are being bounced, not just delayed.
1 What is the point of an email system that doesn't deliver emails?
2 When do you intend to fix this problem?
3 How will this affect your share price, when it is revealed that your system is failing?
I will be featuring this failure on one of my sites this week.
Regards
Ken Frost
www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:27:30 +0100
To: kenfrost
Subject: RE: Errors - Not receiving email - Other Web Email Site (KMM70295567V65223L0KM)
From: uk-mail@cc.yahoo-inc.com
Hello,
Thanks for writing to Yahoo! UKIE Customer Care.
I understand your frustration regarding this issue. Please note that our engineers are working around the clock to try and resolve this issue.
We appreciate your patience in this regard.
Please let me know if you still need assistance so I can help you further.
Regards,
Customer Care - Yahoo! UK & Ireland
> Original Message Follows:
> -------------------------
>
> It is now 17 July, and Yahoo is still delaying/bouncing mails.
>
> You say that you hope to fix it promptly.
>
> This is patently nonsense, as weeks have elapsed since the problem was
> first reported.
>
> When will this be fixed???
>
> regards
>
Ken Frost
Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2007 08:11:39 +0100
To: kenfrost
Subject: RE: Errors - Not receiving email -
Other Web Email Site (KMM70054359V5880L0KM)> From:
uk-mail@cc.yahoo-inc.com> >
Hello,
Thanks for writing to Yahoo! UKIE Customer Care.
I apologise for any inconvenience this has caused you.
Please be assured that we are aware of this problem and hope to have it fixed promptly. I have added your details to our investigation - your ticket number is: 1238162
We appreciate you reporting it to us and thank you for your patience and understanding.
Please let me know if you still need help.
Regards,
Customer Care - Yahoo!
One week after the problem seems to have started, it seems no better.
All Yahoo addresses that I send mail to are now bouncing the mails.
This is unsatisfactory, suffice to say I and the "non recipients" are fed up and are looking to change supplier.
regards Ken Frost
Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2007
13:23:34 +0100>
To: kenfrost
Subject: RE: Errors - Not receiving email - Other Web Email Site (KMM69999477V65359L0KM)> From:
uk-mail@cc.yahoo-inc.com
Hello Ken,
Thanks for writing to Yahoo!
UKIE Customer Care.
I understand you are experiencing delays in receiving Hotmail e-mails to your Yahoo! Mail account. I apologise for any inconvenience this has caused you.
Please be assured that we are aware of this problem and hope to have it fixed promptly.
We appreciate you reporting it to us and thank you for your patience and understanding.
Please let me know if you still need help...."
Congratulations to Yahoo Mail for proving themselves to be "Worse Than Worthless"
As can bee seen from the correspondence that I have had with Yahoo Customer Care, over the past few weeks, their email system appears to be in a state of collapse.
Their slogan "Yahoo just keeps getting better"...maybe should be rephrased to "Yahoo just keeps getting worse"
Here is a selection of the mails that I have sent/received to/from Yahoo "customer care" over the past few weeks.
"23 July 2007
Your company has been saying that your engineers "are working around the clock" on this issue for the last four weeks ever since I, and others, have raised this service failure with Yahoo.
However, instead of improving the situation, the problem is now worse; all my mails sent to Yahoo addresses are being bounced, not just delayed.
1 What is the point of an email system that doesn't deliver emails?
2 When do you intend to fix this problem?
3 How will this affect your share price, when it is revealed that your system is failing?
I will be featuring this failure on one of my sites this week.
Regards
Ken Frost
www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:27:30 +0100
To: kenfrost
Subject: RE: Errors - Not receiving email - Other Web Email Site (KMM70295567V65223L0KM)
From: uk-mail@cc.yahoo-inc.com
Hello,
Thanks for writing to Yahoo! UKIE Customer Care.
I understand your frustration regarding this issue. Please note that our engineers are working around the clock to try and resolve this issue.
We appreciate your patience in this regard.
Please let me know if you still need assistance so I can help you further.
Regards,
Customer Care - Yahoo! UK & Ireland
> Original Message Follows:
> -------------------------
>
> It is now 17 July, and Yahoo is still delaying/bouncing mails.
>
> You say that you hope to fix it promptly.
>
> This is patently nonsense, as weeks have elapsed since the problem was
> first reported.
>
> When will this be fixed???
>
> regards
>
Ken Frost
Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2007 08:11:39 +0100
To: kenfrost
Subject: RE: Errors - Not receiving email -
Other Web Email Site (KMM70054359V5880L0KM)> From:
uk-mail@cc.yahoo-inc.com> >
Hello,
Thanks for writing to Yahoo! UKIE Customer Care.
I apologise for any inconvenience this has caused you.
Please be assured that we are aware of this problem and hope to have it fixed promptly. I have added your details to our investigation - your ticket number is: 1238162
We appreciate you reporting it to us and thank you for your patience and understanding.
Please let me know if you still need help.
Regards,
Customer Care - Yahoo!
One week after the problem seems to have started, it seems no better.
All Yahoo addresses that I send mail to are now bouncing the mails.
This is unsatisfactory, suffice to say I and the "non recipients" are fed up and are looking to change supplier.
regards Ken Frost
Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2007
13:23:34 +0100>
To: kenfrost
Subject: RE: Errors - Not receiving email - Other Web Email Site (KMM69999477V65359L0KM)> From:
uk-mail@cc.yahoo-inc.com
Hello Ken,
Thanks for writing to Yahoo!
UKIE Customer Care.
I understand you are experiencing delays in receiving Hotmail e-mails to your Yahoo! Mail account. I apologise for any inconvenience this has caused you.
Please be assured that we are aware of this problem and hope to have it fixed promptly.
We appreciate you reporting it to us and thank you for your patience and understanding.
Please let me know if you still need help...."
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
I am proud to announce the birth of new website.
Thames Water Is Shite
Anyone with any stories about Thames Water, or who know people with stories about Thames water, please send them in.
Thanks.
Ken
Thames Water Is Shite
Anyone with any stories about Thames Water, or who know people with stories about Thames water, please send them in.
Thanks.
Ken
Monday, February 26, 2007
BA Reservations
Well done BA for further damaging their already badly soiled brand value.
I made a bold and futile attempt to contact their reservations line this morning, on 0870 850 9 850 (the number specified on their website).
Having pressed the various option buttons, and listened to the "tinny" music, I was informed that I had dialed the wrong number and was given a new number to dial.
Can you guess what that was?
Yes, that's right 0870 850 9 850!
I rang the Executive Club, and was told that in fact the number should be 0870 850 4 850 and that the BA website was wrong.
I rang the new number...
Guess what?
I had the very same experience.
Well done lads!
BA truly deserves the "Worse Than Worthless" award.
Well done BA for further damaging their already badly soiled brand value.
I made a bold and futile attempt to contact their reservations line this morning, on 0870 850 9 850 (the number specified on their website).
Having pressed the various option buttons, and listened to the "tinny" music, I was informed that I had dialed the wrong number and was given a new number to dial.
Can you guess what that was?
Yes, that's right 0870 850 9 850!
I rang the Executive Club, and was told that in fact the number should be 0870 850 4 850 and that the BA website was wrong.
I rang the new number...
Guess what?
I had the very same experience.
Well done lads!
BA truly deserves the "Worse Than Worthless" award.
Monday, February 20, 2006
BA's Shameful All Day Deli
I had the misfortune to fly by BA to Stockholm last week, and suffer the unpalatable and tasteless excuse for food that they insult their customers palates with.
BA is the national airline of Britain, yet in respect of its catering (performed by a third party company "Gate Gourmet", a title that most surely is a contradiction in terms) it more resembles British Rail's catering efforts of the seventies and eighties.
The in flight catering on the route consists of a boxed sandwich and some fruit in sugared water, this abomination in a box labours under the misnomer "all day deli".
Unlike many companies who have woken up to the idea that customers who are after all paying for the product deserve a choice, BA offered no choice on either the outward or inward bound flights that I took.
My outward bound "meal" was an egg mayonnaise sandwich.
This consisted of a small portion of chopped egg, a sad piece of lettuce and a hint of mayonnaise placed between two unbuttered pieces of brown bread.
The combination was bland, unpalatable and unsatisfying.
I fared no better on my return trip, again being offered no choice. This time my "meal" was a cheese and coleslaw soft roll.
I saw, nor tasted, any evidence of cheese.
Neither "meal" pack contained any salt or pepper to add life or luster to these culinary abominations.
I raised the issue as to lack of choice and poor quality with the very kind and service minded stewardess, she was very apologetic and said that the staff were embarrassed to serve them
She noted that they don't eat these "meals" themselves, and wished that someone would complain loudly enough to improve the situation. Indeed, she said that some of the food that they have served was in fact worse.
Let us hope that BA take note of this complaint this time. It is not the first time that I have had to chide them for their lamentable lack of culinary imagination or skill. They won the coveted "Worse Than Worthless Award" for their Ham and Cheese Bloomer in 2003.
I had the misfortune to fly by BA to Stockholm last week, and suffer the unpalatable and tasteless excuse for food that they insult their customers palates with.
BA is the national airline of Britain, yet in respect of its catering (performed by a third party company "Gate Gourmet", a title that most surely is a contradiction in terms) it more resembles British Rail's catering efforts of the seventies and eighties.
The in flight catering on the route consists of a boxed sandwich and some fruit in sugared water, this abomination in a box labours under the misnomer "all day deli".
Unlike many companies who have woken up to the idea that customers who are after all paying for the product deserve a choice, BA offered no choice on either the outward or inward bound flights that I took.
My outward bound "meal" was an egg mayonnaise sandwich.
This consisted of a small portion of chopped egg, a sad piece of lettuce and a hint of mayonnaise placed between two unbuttered pieces of brown bread.
The combination was bland, unpalatable and unsatisfying.
I fared no better on my return trip, again being offered no choice. This time my "meal" was a cheese and coleslaw soft roll.
I saw, nor tasted, any evidence of cheese.
Neither "meal" pack contained any salt or pepper to add life or luster to these culinary abominations.
I raised the issue as to lack of choice and poor quality with the very kind and service minded stewardess, she was very apologetic and said that the staff were embarrassed to serve them
She noted that they don't eat these "meals" themselves, and wished that someone would complain loudly enough to improve the situation. Indeed, she said that some of the food that they have served was in fact worse.
Let us hope that BA take note of this complaint this time. It is not the first time that I have had to chide them for their lamentable lack of culinary imagination or skill. They won the coveted "Worse Than Worthless Award" for their Ham and Cheese Bloomer in 2003.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Croydon Worst Borough In London
It's official, Croydon is the worst borough in London.
I seem to recall awarding Croydon Council the Worse Than Worthless award two years running.
Now it seems that others agree with me.
The Croydon Guardian note:
"Figures published this week show Croydon Council is the second-worst authority in England and the worst in London for collecting unpaid council tax.
A comparison analysis compiled by the public services union GMB shows Croydon is second in a league table of 351 English councils which have failed to collect a total of £589,538,530 for the 2004/05 financial year.
It is owed £9.2million and is beaten only by the city of Birmingham which has £11.8million uncollected. It also moved up from last year's second place to become the worst authority in London for collecting unpaid council tax..."
The council have brought the borough to the brink of bankruptcy, and have allowed the infrastructure and environment to continue to decay.
Council elections are coming next year, their remaining days in office are numbered.
It's official, Croydon is the worst borough in London.I seem to recall awarding Croydon Council the Worse Than Worthless award two years running.
Now it seems that others agree with me.
The Croydon Guardian note:
"Figures published this week show Croydon Council is the second-worst authority in England and the worst in London for collecting unpaid council tax.
A comparison analysis compiled by the public services union GMB shows Croydon is second in a league table of 351 English councils which have failed to collect a total of £589,538,530 for the 2004/05 financial year.
It is owed £9.2million and is beaten only by the city of Birmingham which has £11.8million uncollected. It also moved up from last year's second place to become the worst authority in London for collecting unpaid council tax..."
The council have brought the borough to the brink of bankruptcy, and have allowed the infrastructure and environment to continue to decay.
Council elections are coming next year, their remaining days in office are numbered.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Barclaycard's Explanation for Stopping Issuing Nectar Points
Barclaycard have decided that, as from 31 August 2005, they will no longer issue Nectar points on purchases made with a Barclaycard.
They have sent out a very "helpful" leaflet explaining, in a series of questions and answers, the rationale and effect of this policy change.
Unfortunately their answer to their own self imposed question:
"Why has Barclaycard decided to stop issuing Nectar points?"
does not answer the question.
Their answer says:
"We want to provide as many of our customers as possible with the benefits and services which they most value. Customers have told us that they value the reassurance and peace of mind provided by Barclaycard, especially when they are travelling. So we've reviewed our Barclaycard benefits to make sure they reflect our customers' wishes and preferences".
As you can see that lengthy answer bears no relation to the questions asked.
Come on Barclaycard, don't treat your customers as idiots; tell the truth.
You stopped issuing Nectar points in order to save money, and to make more profits.
Maybe if you had the guts to say that in the first place, your customers might respect you a little more.
Update 17 June 2005
I wrote to Barclaycard telling them that they had won a "Worse Than Worthless" award, and directed them to this site.
Here is their reply:
"..Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for your e-mail.
I am sorry that you have been disappointed by our decision to stop
awarding Nectar points.
The decision was made after careful consideration, and by listening to
many customers. As a result of their feedback, we are making some
changes to the services we offer. We're striving to develop a range of
benefits that will be useful and valuable to the vast majority of our
cardholders, allowing us to offer the best value in an increasingly
competitive market.
I am sorry that you are unhappy with our decision. I hope I have been
able to assure you that this decision was taken after listening to our
customers, and in an effort to improve the services we provide...."
Clearly they did not read what I had sent them.
They don't get this customer sastifaction thing do they?
Barclaycard have decided that, as from 31 August 2005, they will no longer issue Nectar points on purchases made with a Barclaycard.
They have sent out a very "helpful" leaflet explaining, in a series of questions and answers, the rationale and effect of this policy change.
Unfortunately their answer to their own self imposed question:
"Why has Barclaycard decided to stop issuing Nectar points?"
does not answer the question.
Their answer says:
"We want to provide as many of our customers as possible with the benefits and services which they most value. Customers have told us that they value the reassurance and peace of mind provided by Barclaycard, especially when they are travelling. So we've reviewed our Barclaycard benefits to make sure they reflect our customers' wishes and preferences".
As you can see that lengthy answer bears no relation to the questions asked.
Come on Barclaycard, don't treat your customers as idiots; tell the truth.
You stopped issuing Nectar points in order to save money, and to make more profits.
Maybe if you had the guts to say that in the first place, your customers might respect you a little more.
Update 17 June 2005
I wrote to Barclaycard telling them that they had won a "Worse Than Worthless" award, and directed them to this site.
Here is their reply:
"..Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for your e-mail.
I am sorry that you have been disappointed by our decision to stop
awarding Nectar points.
The decision was made after careful consideration, and by listening to
many customers. As a result of their feedback, we are making some
changes to the services we offer. We're striving to develop a range of
benefits that will be useful and valuable to the vast majority of our
cardholders, allowing us to offer the best value in an increasingly
competitive market.
I am sorry that you are unhappy with our decision. I hope I have been
able to assure you that this decision was taken after listening to our
customers, and in an effort to improve the services we provide...."
Clearly they did not read what I had sent them.
They don't get this customer sastifaction thing do they?
Monday, April 25, 2005
The Computer at Lastminute.com
As you can see from this article, I had a little "trouble" with lastminute.com's computer system on 2nd April 2005.
As you can see from this article, I had a little "trouble" with lastminute.com's computer system on 2nd April 2005.
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
Croydon Council 2004
Last year Croydon Council won the prestigious "Worse Than Worthless" award for increasing Council Tax by 27%, see Croydon 2003.
I am delighted to be able to tell you that they have won the award again, for a second year running!
This year they have made a real effort:
They intend to increase Council Tax by 7%
They are singularly failing to redress the creeping decay and neglect that is consuming central Croydon, see "Named and Shamed".
They have presided over a fall in the value of their own pension fund of over 28% during the year 2002/2003, compared to the local authority average of 19%. See the post of 9 March 2004 in "Named and Shamed" entitled 'What is Croydon Council Doing?'
In recognition of this outstanding achievement a special commemorative mug and T shirt have been commisioned. You can buy these at The Emporium.
Last year Croydon Council won the prestigious "Worse Than Worthless" award for increasing Council Tax by 27%, see Croydon 2003.
I am delighted to be able to tell you that they have won the award again, for a second year running!
This year they have made a real effort:
In recognition of this outstanding achievement a special commemorative mug and T shirt have been commisioned. You can buy these at The Emporium.
Saturday, January 03, 2004
Parcelforce
Parcelforce are the UK Post Office’s parcel delivery arm. During December, they were entrusted by Fortnum and Masons with the delivery of a Christmas present I purchased from them; for an elderly uncle of mine, who lives in London.
As at the time of writing (3 January 2004), my uncle has yet to receive his Christmas present. This despite the fact that he has waited in on five separate, pre arranged, occasions for them to deliver it to him.
Needless to say losing five days of his life waiting for Parcelforce to turn up, is more than a little annoying at his age. He does not, hardly surprisingly, wish to waste anymore of his time on this incompetent organisation.
I discussed this disgraceful situation with Fortnums, who noted that they have had a large number of complaints from their customers about Parcelforce.
Well done Parcelforce, you are the first organisation in 2004 to win my coveted “Worse Than Worthless” award.
Keep up the good work!
By the way lads, if you could see your way to delivering the present this side of Christmas 2004; my uncle and I would be very grateful!
7 January 2004
Update
Fortnums, quite rightly, gave up trying to get Parcelforce to deliver the package. They instead sent it round today in their own van.
However, dear old Parcelforce don't seem to have given up. One hour after receiving the package from the Fortnum's van, my uncle received a note through his door from Parcelforce.
"We tried to deliver to you today, but the address is incomplete".
I wonder how it was then that Fortnums managed to deliver it without any problem; or indeed how Parcelforce were able to put the note through my uncle's door, if they didn't have the complete address?
Bets please as to when Parcelforce manage to complete this difficult task.
12 January 2004
Oh dear, Parcelforce really have lost the plot.
Nine days after I wrote to them about this mess, they sent me an email asking me for further details.
Wakey Wakey lads!
Here is my response together with their note....
"Dear ****,
Thank you for your note, albeit 9 days late.
The Fortnum's order number was 271972.
All rather academic now, as they have used their own van to deliver the items.
Quite where Parcelforce have put their package is anyone's guess.
Kind regards,
Ken Frost
http://www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
From: ***@royalmail.com
To: kenfrost@kenfrost.com
Subject: Re: INTERNET SITE FEEDBACK
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 10:53:13 +0000
Thank you for your enquiry.
I was sorry to read of the problems you experienced with our services.
Unfortunately, I am unable to trace the whereabouts of an item without a
parcel number. Can you obtain the number, and contact me again.
Alternatively, contact our enquiry line on 08708 501150, by Textphone 08000
855857 (for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) or fax on 0113 205 6660.
Kind regards
...."
Parcelforce are the UK Post Office’s parcel delivery arm. During December, they were entrusted by Fortnum and Masons with the delivery of a Christmas present I purchased from them; for an elderly uncle of mine, who lives in London.
As at the time of writing (3 January 2004), my uncle has yet to receive his Christmas present. This despite the fact that he has waited in on five separate, pre arranged, occasions for them to deliver it to him.
Needless to say losing five days of his life waiting for Parcelforce to turn up, is more than a little annoying at his age. He does not, hardly surprisingly, wish to waste anymore of his time on this incompetent organisation.
I discussed this disgraceful situation with Fortnums, who noted that they have had a large number of complaints from their customers about Parcelforce.
Well done Parcelforce, you are the first organisation in 2004 to win my coveted “Worse Than Worthless” award.
Keep up the good work!
By the way lads, if you could see your way to delivering the present this side of Christmas 2004; my uncle and I would be very grateful!
7 January 2004
Update
Fortnums, quite rightly, gave up trying to get Parcelforce to deliver the package. They instead sent it round today in their own van.
However, dear old Parcelforce don't seem to have given up. One hour after receiving the package from the Fortnum's van, my uncle received a note through his door from Parcelforce.
"We tried to deliver to you today, but the address is incomplete".
I wonder how it was then that Fortnums managed to deliver it without any problem; or indeed how Parcelforce were able to put the note through my uncle's door, if they didn't have the complete address?
Bets please as to when Parcelforce manage to complete this difficult task.
12 January 2004
Oh dear, Parcelforce really have lost the plot.
Nine days after I wrote to them about this mess, they sent me an email asking me for further details.
Wakey Wakey lads!
Here is my response together with their note....
"Dear ****,
Thank you for your note, albeit 9 days late.
The Fortnum's order number was 271972.
All rather academic now, as they have used their own van to deliver the items.
Quite where Parcelforce have put their package is anyone's guess.
Kind regards,
Ken Frost
http://www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
From: ***@royalmail.com
To: kenfrost@kenfrost.com
Subject: Re: INTERNET SITE FEEDBACK
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2004 10:53:13 +0000
Thank you for your enquiry.
I was sorry to read of the problems you experienced with our services.
Unfortunately, I am unable to trace the whereabouts of an item without a
parcel number. Can you obtain the number, and contact me again.
Alternatively, contact our enquiry line on 08708 501150, by Textphone 08000
855857 (for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) or fax on 0113 205 6660.
Kind regards
...."
Saturday, October 25, 2003
The “Nigerian Scam”
These days I find myself, and I suspect that I am not alone, on the receiving end of a deluge of emails from a variety of individuals; purporting to be deposed presidents, royalty and businessmen residing in various parts of Africa (more often than not Nigeria).
The content of these letters (colloquially known as the “Nigerian Scam”) follows a familiar format:
Your name has been recommended by a reputable source.
They have a large sum of money, usually exceeding $20M, which they wish to export from their country.
They would like an “honest” person to conduct business with.
They require temporary use of a bank account to facilitate that transfer.
They offer a high percentage in return for this facility, usually 20% of the capital sum involved.
All they need are the details of your bank account, phone number and a few other personal pieces of information.
Contact details are provided, where a “real” person will interact with you.
In case you have not realised it, this is a scam. The perpetrators having duped the greedy and stupid into revealing details of their bank account etc, then empty it; and disappear with the proceedings.
Now, you would think that this was so obviously a scam; that no one would be taken in by it. However, regrettably this is not so; in my experience of fraud investigation you should never underestimate the stupidity, arrogance and greed of your fellow human beings.
The scammers manage to con, a not insignificant percentage of, the stupid and greedy out of some quite sizeable amounts of money. Indeed, such is the success (a testament to the “human condition”), that the number of these letters is on the increase. I find that I now receive more of these emails, than those offering penis enlargement and the more bizarre forms of sexual gratification.
The people who perpetrate this crime are, to use a technical term, scum. The criminal enforcement agencies around the world are doing their best to track them down, but as long as there are stupid and greedy people prepared to open up their bank accounts to these “Hucksters”; there will always be some form of “Nigerian letter”.
I therefore would like to present my “Worse Than Worthless” award to the perpetrators of the “Nigerian Scam”.
I have now started to keep a log of the letters I receive from these people, which shows the variety of ludicrous stories that are used to extract money from the greedy and stupid. The log can be accessed on the Stupid Punts section of my site.
I have edited out the email and phone contact details of the senders of these letters, to protect the stupid.
I would take this opportunity to remind all of you, that before taking any financial investment decision; you should consult a reputable independent financial adviser and lawyer.
Remember if it sounds too good to be true, then it is!
These days I find myself, and I suspect that I am not alone, on the receiving end of a deluge of emails from a variety of individuals; purporting to be deposed presidents, royalty and businessmen residing in various parts of Africa (more often than not Nigeria).
The content of these letters (colloquially known as the “Nigerian Scam”) follows a familiar format:
Your name has been recommended by a reputable source.
They have a large sum of money, usually exceeding $20M, which they wish to export from their country.
They would like an “honest” person to conduct business with.
They require temporary use of a bank account to facilitate that transfer.
They offer a high percentage in return for this facility, usually 20% of the capital sum involved.
All they need are the details of your bank account, phone number and a few other personal pieces of information.
Contact details are provided, where a “real” person will interact with you.
In case you have not realised it, this is a scam. The perpetrators having duped the greedy and stupid into revealing details of their bank account etc, then empty it; and disappear with the proceedings.
Now, you would think that this was so obviously a scam; that no one would be taken in by it. However, regrettably this is not so; in my experience of fraud investigation you should never underestimate the stupidity, arrogance and greed of your fellow human beings.
The scammers manage to con, a not insignificant percentage of, the stupid and greedy out of some quite sizeable amounts of money. Indeed, such is the success (a testament to the “human condition”), that the number of these letters is on the increase. I find that I now receive more of these emails, than those offering penis enlargement and the more bizarre forms of sexual gratification.
The people who perpetrate this crime are, to use a technical term, scum. The criminal enforcement agencies around the world are doing their best to track them down, but as long as there are stupid and greedy people prepared to open up their bank accounts to these “Hucksters”; there will always be some form of “Nigerian letter”.
I therefore would like to present my “Worse Than Worthless” award to the perpetrators of the “Nigerian Scam”.
I have now started to keep a log of the letters I receive from these people, which shows the variety of ludicrous stories that are used to extract money from the greedy and stupid. The log can be accessed on the Stupid Punts section of my site.
I have edited out the email and phone contact details of the senders of these letters, to protect the stupid.
I would take this opportunity to remind all of you, that before taking any financial investment decision; you should consult a reputable independent financial adviser and lawyer.
Remember if it sounds too good to be true, then it is!
Monday, October 20, 2003
The British Airways Ham and Cheese Bloomer
Usually my “Worse Than Worthless” award is made to an organisation or company. However, I am making an exception in this case; and presenting it to a sandwich.
This particular culinary atrocity has been served to me on two separate occasions on the BA London-Stockholm route, on both occasions the sandwich was “Worse Than Worthless”.
I am, as you can see from the “Frost Bites” and “Accountants Can Cook” sections of my site, a lover of good food and an amateur chef. This sorry excuse for a sandwich failed as a source of culinary delectation on a number of levels:
The wrapper in which it was presented noted that it would “expire” the following day. This clearly meant that it was not freshly prepared on the day of the flight; instead, I suspect, they are prepared in batches and stored for a number of days.
On close inspection, having taken a bite, the slices of bread that comprised the “bloomer” had a chalky white luminescent centre. This, from my experience, indicates that the bread has been deep chilled/frozen. Fresh, is clearly not the operative word here.
The contents, ham and cheese, really lacked imagination. I think that for a return ticket, that cost around £150, we should be entitled to something a little more imaginative. I would note that the alternative, for the vegetarians, were egg mayonnaise baps (which looked as though they had been sat upon). Clearly the menu was designed by the same people who cater for primary school children.
On pulling the sandwich apart, I noted that there was no spread (butter or margarine) of any description on the bread; even prisoners are allowed butter or margarine these days! I cannot believe that the cost saving made by serving dry bread really makes such a difference to the cash flow of BA.
The thinly sliced ham (no surprise there), was placed in the middle of the bloomer. However, the slices of ham were so small that they did not reach the edges of the bloomer. The same was true of the plastic pathetic excuse for “mature cheddar” (as it was described on the wrapper), a misnomer if ever I have heard one. I estimate that approximately 10% of the inside surface area of the bloomer had no contact with either cheese or ham.
Hiding, shamed faced, between the cheese and ham was a solitary sad piece of lettuce; clearly embarrassed to be associated with this culinary abomination.
Bland, is too complimentary a word to use to describe the taste.
I for one think that it is perfectly reasonable that on a journey of two hours that sandwiches, rather than a full meal, are served. However, the sandwiches should at least be a little imaginative as regards to the variety on offer; and be tasty and fresh.
How can our national airline hold its head up proudly, and present such a poor and embarrassing specimen?
BA, as you know, I have written to you before about this; when will you improve the quality and taste?
Usually my “Worse Than Worthless” award is made to an organisation or company. However, I am making an exception in this case; and presenting it to a sandwich.
This particular culinary atrocity has been served to me on two separate occasions on the BA London-Stockholm route, on both occasions the sandwich was “Worse Than Worthless”.
I am, as you can see from the “Frost Bites” and “Accountants Can Cook” sections of my site, a lover of good food and an amateur chef. This sorry excuse for a sandwich failed as a source of culinary delectation on a number of levels:
The wrapper in which it was presented noted that it would “expire” the following day. This clearly meant that it was not freshly prepared on the day of the flight; instead, I suspect, they are prepared in batches and stored for a number of days.
On close inspection, having taken a bite, the slices of bread that comprised the “bloomer” had a chalky white luminescent centre. This, from my experience, indicates that the bread has been deep chilled/frozen. Fresh, is clearly not the operative word here.
The contents, ham and cheese, really lacked imagination. I think that for a return ticket, that cost around £150, we should be entitled to something a little more imaginative. I would note that the alternative, for the vegetarians, were egg mayonnaise baps (which looked as though they had been sat upon). Clearly the menu was designed by the same people who cater for primary school children.
On pulling the sandwich apart, I noted that there was no spread (butter or margarine) of any description on the bread; even prisoners are allowed butter or margarine these days! I cannot believe that the cost saving made by serving dry bread really makes such a difference to the cash flow of BA.
The thinly sliced ham (no surprise there), was placed in the middle of the bloomer. However, the slices of ham were so small that they did not reach the edges of the bloomer. The same was true of the plastic pathetic excuse for “mature cheddar” (as it was described on the wrapper), a misnomer if ever I have heard one. I estimate that approximately 10% of the inside surface area of the bloomer had no contact with either cheese or ham.
Hiding, shamed faced, between the cheese and ham was a solitary sad piece of lettuce; clearly embarrassed to be associated with this culinary abomination.
Bland, is too complimentary a word to use to describe the taste.
I for one think that it is perfectly reasonable that on a journey of two hours that sandwiches, rather than a full meal, are served. However, the sandwiches should at least be a little imaginative as regards to the variety on offer; and be tasty and fresh.
How can our national airline hold its head up proudly, and present such a poor and embarrassing specimen?
BA, as you know, I have written to you before about this; when will you improve the quality and taste?
Tuesday, September 09, 2003
CPM
CPM is a property management company based in the UK, which has recently been taken over by Equity Asset Management.
Two visitors to my site, who live in properties maintained by CPM, have nominated CPM for a “Worse Than Worthless” award; based on the following:
The hallways are unkempt
The interiors of properties are not maintained
Promises of reviewing service charges are not kept
Helpdesk not helpful
Telephone and written complaints are ignored.
CPM is a property management company based in the UK, which has recently been taken over by Equity Asset Management.
Two visitors to my site, who live in properties maintained by CPM, have nominated CPM for a “Worse Than Worthless” award; based on the following:
The hallways are unkempt
The interiors of properties are not maintained
Promises of reviewing service charges are not kept
Helpdesk not helpful
Telephone and written complaints are ignored.
I, like others living in Croydon, am less than impressed with the 27% increase in council tax being foisted upon us by our local “leaders”.
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